Spring Broken
There is no spring break in the NHL. Whatever the Ducks have been doing the past week, it needs to stop. We all know that at this level, no team can win every game. No one expects it. What they do expect is a consistent level of persistence. The Ducks have pulled themselves up from the bottom of the league and took over first place in the division. The victory over L.A. a week ago Saturday, while outstanding, wasn't a point where the team could catch their breath. Losing to the Caps in a shootout is unfortunate, but acceptable. Getting thumped by Colorado and St. Louis by a combined 8-2 is not. The Ducks are two points behind L.A. and San Jose is only one point back in third.
What can the Ducks do to snap out of their mini skid?
The answer is simple. As in make it simple.
* Take care of the puck in the defensive end. * Keep the opponents out of the crease. * Win faceoffs. * Stay out of the penalty box.
From here to the penultimate game of the regular season, Anaheim plays every other day. There is no break between the final two games. Truly, no rest for the weary.
Ouch
Getting back on track when healthy is one thing. Unfortunately, the Ducks are banged up, especially on defense. Add in that two of the defensemen dealing with injuries run the point on Anaheim's power play, the up hill climb gets a bit steeper.
* Sami Vatanen is questionable tonight. He is recovering from an UBI suffered Wednesday night against Colorado. * Kevin Bieksa is also questionable against the Devils. He left Friday's contest in the third period with an LBI. * Cam Fowler broke his nose against L.A. He has been playing, but struggling with the protective full face cage. * Coach Bruce Boudreau said Nate Thompson was banged up, heading into the Blues game. He may sit out tonight.
New Jersey @ Ducks
New Jersey is a team the Ducks should beat at home. Frederik Andersen appears to be tonight's starting goalie. He looks to bounce back from his disappointing outing in St. Louis. Korbian Holzer and Clayton Stoner are likely to slot in for Vatanen and Bieksa. Shawn Horcoff, recently off suspension, could give Thompson a night off. Here is the probable lineup:
Perron-Getzlaf-Garbutt McGinn-Rakell-Perry Cogliano-Kesler-Silfverberg Ritchie-Horcoff-Santorelli
Defensemen Fowler-Despres Lindholm-Manson Stoner-Holzer
Goalies Gibson Andersen